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Emperor penguin visits the Kapiti Coast
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Emperor penguin on Peka Peka Beach with Kapiti Island in the background. Photo: Richard Gill, Department of Conservation
Date: 21st June
2011
Emperor penguin visits the Kapiti Coast
Kapiti Coast residents have been treated to a rare visit by an emperor penguin. There is only one other recording of an emperor penguin in New Zealand, at Southland’s Oreti Beach in the 1967.
The Department of Conservation advises that people should not disturb the penguin and ensure that dogs are kept on leads in the area. Penguins can give vicious bites if they feel threatened. If left alone it is expected that the bird will eventually swim back out to sea.
It is not known why these birds that reside in the Antarctic would visit New Zealand shores.
“It’s amazing to see one of these penguins on the Kapiti Coast,” said DOC biodiversity spokesperson Peter Simpson.
“Unusual animals from the Antarctic sometimes visit our shores, but we really don’t know why”,
Department of Conservation staff were first alerted by Kapiti resident Christine Wilton who was walking her dog on Monday afternoon at Peka Peka Beach.
“I saw this glistening white thing standing up and I thought I was seeing things,” Ms Wilton said.
She contacted DOC’s Waikanae office and rangers went to investigate. They saw what looked like a big white ball in the sand. It stood up, looking quite relaxed and in good condition. It was later confirmed that the majestic visitor is a juvenile emperor penguin standing at about 1 metre tall.
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DOC ranger Clint Purches with emperor penguin, Peka Peka Beach.
Emperor penguins are the largest penguins, adults reaching more than a metre tall and weighing up to 30kg. They feed on fish, krill, squid and a wide range of marine invertebrates and hold the diving record at 450 metres deep and 11 minutes underwater.
If members of the public see this emperor penguin at another beach or to report unusual or injured marine animals contact the DOC HOTline: 0800 362 468.
Visit www.doc.govt.nz for more information on
penguins.
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